In vitro effectiveness study of three hydrodynamic thrombectomy devices

PURPOSE: To determine the in vitro efficacy of three hydrodynamic thrombect omy devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombectomy of clots was performed with three throm bectomy devices (Angiojet [AJ], Possis Medical, Minneapolis, Minn; Hydrolys er [HL] Cordis Europe, Roden, the Netherlands; and the Shredding Embolectom y Thrombectomy [SET] catheter, HP-Medica, Augsburg, Germany) in a flow mode l. RESULTS: Mean thrombectomy time ranged from 10.22 seconds (HL) to 37.73 sec onds (AJ with guide wire). For the AJ and HL, the use of guide wires prolon ged thrombectomy time (P <.01). The AJ with and without a guide wire and th e HL with a 0.018-inch guide wire worked isovolumetrically, whereas the mea n ratio of applied saline and aspirated fluid for the other devices was dif ferent from 1, ranging from 0.54 to 0.72. Mean embolus weight with the AJ a lone (56.44 mg) was significantly higher than that with the SET catheter al one (3.15 mg) and with a guide wire (1.31 mg, P <.01 for both) and the HL a lone (3.9 mg, P <.05), as was the embolus weight with the HL with a 0.018-i nch guidewire(66.5 mg) compared with the SET catheter with and without a gu ide wire (P <.01), AJ with a guide wire (22.33 mg, P <.05), the HL alone (P <.01), and the HL with a 0.025-inch guidewire (24.86 mg, P <.05). CONCLUSION: The devices showed performance differences. The SET catheter al one and with a guide wire and the HL may bear an increased risk of procedur e-related anemia. In clinical applications, hydrodynamic thrombectomy might substantially reduce the need for thrombolytic therapy.